A Melyrid Beetle (Collops vicarius)

Overview

State status

The table below provides information about the protected status -
both state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for A Melyrid Beetle
(Collops vicarius). See the Working
List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where occurrences of this species meet NHI data standards and is not meant as a comprehensive map of all observations.

Note: Species recently added to the NHI Working List may temporarily have blank occurrence maps.

Summary Information

State Status

none

Federal Status in Wisconsin

none

State Rank

SU

Global Rank

GNR

Tracked by NHI

W

WWAP

r-SIN

Species guidance

Identification: Soft-winged flower beetle (Melyrid), 4-10mm in length, wedge-shaped, green or black with red, orange, or yellow markings, head is black and elytra are pubescent.

Similar Species: C. quadrimaculatus, a common species, is dull yellowish with dark blue metallic colored areas on the elytra.

Habitat: The larvae are found in soil debris or within grass stems.

Global Distribution: The genus is generally distributed throughout the U.S.

Life and Natural History: Both adults and immatures are predators of other insects. Adults prey on aphids and other soft-bodied insects and may also consume pollen of the flowers on which they are found. Larvae are predaceous on termite nests. The genus Collops has proved to be beneficial to agriculture as a predator of some weevils and aphids on alfalfa, cotton, peas, and other crops.